Opinions

Time to End Open-CarryThe presence of a militia group in Charlottesville two weeks ago causes me to reflect on state laws. The very fact that these people were able to openly carry semi-automatic assault weapons on the crowded streets denies the common sense laws under which our nation prospered for 180 years. There are no constitutional provisions that prevent states, cities, or counties from enacting laws against an open display of weapons.

Neither are there federal laws preventing such local control.

The fact that people seem to think nothing can be done about folks just casually walking around with side arms or assault weapons is a symptom of being brainwashed these past forty years by the likes of the National Rifle Association. Former chief justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, Warren Burger, said it best, “The Second Amendment has been the subject of one of the greatest pieces of fraud, I repeat the word ‘fraud,’ on the American public.” He said, “The right to bear arms belongs to the states,” and attacked the NRA for fostering the opposite view.

Now, neither Justice Burger nor I believe this has anything to do with restricting anyone’s ability to hunt, target shoot, or keep a weapon for home protection. Hopefully guns in your homes are under lock and key, but that’s another issue. The issue here is that the state of Virginia can certainly obtain the same degree of common sense that was had in Dodge City, Kansas back in the days of the so-called Wild West. Open-carry back then was illegal! And today most states still allow localities the ability to enforce such prohibitions.

Everyone these days, Democrats and Republicans alike, seems to prefer to tiptoe around any form of common sense gun control for fear of violating some sacred privilege. The ability to carry weapons openly has been regulated in all states and all localities in some way or another since our founding. It’s time that Virginia’s laws reflect common sense, something to keep in mind when voting for candidates for the House of Delegates.

Building permit department very efficientI just completed the building permit process for a new deck, and give the Fluvanna building permits department an A+. When I first purchased here, I heard stories of the permit process in the ’70s and ’80s; enough said. I had previously suffered though the total bureaucracy known as Fairfax County multiple times in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’00s: a process requiring a dedicated half day followed by rude inspectors. Fluvanna County has this down to an efficient but thorough process performed by a professional team. The permits clerks provide prompt, friendly service without an attitude, always getting back with answers to questions by us amateurs. The engineer offered valid design suggestions while ensuring that the deck did not get over-engineered. Finally, the building inspector was a real professional who offered suggestions without insults.If considering an addition or deck in the future, make sure you or your contractor completes the building permit process.

Fluvanna’s debt per capitaAssuming Eric Dahl, director of finance, is correct about the new county debt being about $105 million and guessing the county’s population is about 28,000, each one of those 28,000 people is responsible for about $3,750 of that debt. I wonder how many citizens of Fluvanna realize our Board of Supervisors and county administrator have done this to us.

Recognizing the best of Fluvanna spiritCongratulations to Richard Payne for being the third person to receive the Fluvanna Community Service Award, recognizing his leadership and service to Fluvanna County in multiple ways over many years. Richard has been involved with the Charlottesville and Fluvanna area TaxAide program for 11 years, leading this AARP/IRS conjoint effort in Fluvanna this past year. He was effective in recruiting new volunteers, oversaw the training of those volunteers, and managed the program. Over 800 tax returns were done this year by well-trained volunteers for Fluvanna and surrounding county residents. Richard is also an active leader in his church. He’s the second graduate of the Fluvanna Leadership Development Program (FLDP) to receive this award, and served on its steering committee, including as one of the developers of the ever-popular day-long bus tour of Fluvanna’s historical and business sites. He continues to audit the FLDP books each year. Richard has been a financial counselor for many Habitat for Humanity families during the preparation for home ownership. Richard reflects the heart and soul of Fluvanna and its many volunteers who make Fluvanna such a great place to live, work and play.

Kathleen Swenson MillerFLDP Steering Committee

Endowment for Youth underway

The Rose Deborah Altschull Endowment for Youth is off and running again in 2017! Last year we funded a new facility built in the Central Elementary School: a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) lab. We are now in the planning stage to build another STEAM lab at Carysbrook Elementary School that should be open sometime in October. So far this year we have sponsored kids to attend 4-H summer camp and provided funds for our “Revin For Reading” project.
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Leadership program is worth itEven for a person who was born and raised in Fluvanna, and now is raising her kids here, the bus tour put on by the Fluvanna Leadership Development Program was a real eye-opener. I saw things I had never noticed before in Fluvanna – Rosenwald schools, the Old Slave Chapel, countless businesses and churches, and on and on. One of the best parts of the tour was meeting my classmates – some of whom have become friends for life – who I never would have met otherwise.

And that was just the beginning of the leadership program. I learned more about how the county works, who does what and why, and what I can do to affect it – or just help make things better – than I had learned in decades of living here.

So I’m telling my friends to look into the Fluvanna Leadership Development Program. It’s a bit of a commitment, especially for a busy mom, but it’s worth it. You can get more information, and even sign up, at www.fluvannaleadership.com.